Teaching Locations:

Teaching Locations:

Levels taught:

If you want to really rock on the drums I can get you started. I have MANY years of playing, performing, and teaching experience. Want to learn to play your favorite songs? And hopefully develope your own style! Let's rock!

About Thomas A.

I have been playing drums for over 47 years. For 16 years I played and performed professionally with my band Black Widow USA. We toured the US several times in support of our two internationally released CDs. For about 30 years of my time behind a drum set I had given drum lessons on and off. But because of my super strong passion for the drums and my desire to share my knowledge of the instrument I decided to start teaching on a more regular basis about four years ago. Several of my first regular students have now gone on to do very well themselves. Drumming in bands of their own. Although I can teach most styles of drumming I have been a die hard rock and roller most of my life. With my main influences on the instrument being Carmine Appice, Don Brewer from Grand Funk, John Bonham, Ian Paice from Deep Purple and for double bass Tommy Aldridge. So I really specialize in the old rock and roll, classic rock, hard rock and metal from the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, all the way up to today's rock, metal and pop music. I believe my years of experience are valuable in relating to each students musical interests ,desires and accomplishments on the drums. After my original band Black Widow decided to go on a long break several years ago I was offered a drumming position in a local classic rock and metal cover band. So besides teaching I have continued to satisfy my love for playing drums and performing with that band. Which gigs out on a regular monthly bases.
*** Lesson Details ***
I make sure that I find out from the get go what each and every new student likes musically and what they want to learn and how far they want to go on the drums. Then I try to tailor all the lessons to each students interests and abilities. Making sure that it's fun for them in the process. This can't be work or a chore or they won't stick with it. But I will say I do believe that every beginning student who has NEVER sat behind a kit before should know and start with the fundamentals ( the building blocks so to speak) of drumming such as holding the sticks, proper stick control and technique, and how to execute some important basic rudiments and keep good time. Also I think learning to read some drum notation is important so you know and understand what you are playing when you play it, but can teach by ear also. I can also teach double bass technique if a student is interested in that.

*** Travel Equipment ***
If necessary to travel to a students home, they should have a drum kit there or at least a practice pad to get started on. I will bring sticks, a metronome if needed and the necessary instruction books for the lessons. Also willing to travel to a students home if they are just getting started and need help setting up their kit or need help tuning the drums.

*** Specialties ***
Mostly specialize in beginner to intermediate ages 7 and up teaching rock ( which includes old rock and roll from the 50's, blues), classic rock ( 60's and 70's) , hard rock and metal from the 80's all the way up to today's rock, pop and metal music. Believe it or not, it's all tied together. Let me show and teach you how.

Reviews

Tom is a great instructor! Cam is learning so much and making great progress on the drums!

Posted Mar 26, 2018

Cheryl I.

Teacher's Studio

This is our first Drum instructor and we are thrilled with Thomas. He is patient, kind, and enthusiastic about teaching. His approach is positive in nature, meeting the student where they are at, takes their interest as the lead, and starts teaching there. My 11 year old son really likes him too! We go to our 4th lesson this afternoon.

These lessons were great. Regarding drums, I was an absolute beginner, and Tommy's lessons turned out to be an excellent jump-start. I used to play keyboards and guitars before, and I enjoy picking up by ear rather than reading notation, so I really liked informal and 'non-notational' way the lessons went. There was no hard notation drill, and yet Tommy had covered most rudiments, basic techniques, and patterns needed to rock in about 10 lessons. I'd recommend this for anyone who doesn't know how to hold sticks but want to get introduced into rock drumming.

Just my first class yet and it was great. He is very patient and articulate. I am going to continue learning from him.

Posted Mar 1, 2017

Brandon M.

Teacher's Studio

Thomas was very professional in his approach to teaching. His workplace was very clean and neat. This made us feel very comfortable and welcome. He is a personal teacher. Before any teaching took place he wanted to know my child's likes and dislikes when it came to music. This meant a lot to me. It showed me that he was interested in my son's development as a musician. It told me a lot about his character. He is not just teaching but it is interested in his students. He challenged my child while allowing him to express himself while learning and playing. When he taught he came down to his level and was very patient. This was a very positive experience for us. My son is very excited and we are looking forward to future classes. I would recommend him to anyone looking for a drum instructor.

Thomas is very nice. My 13 yrs old likes his drum lessons very much so far.

Posted May 19, 2016

Nathan N.

Student's Home

Thomas is very nice. My 13 yrs old likes his drum lessons very much so far.

Posted May 19, 2016

Andrew O.

Teacher's Studio

Thomas is great. He is patient and I am excited about learning drums from him.

Posted Oct 7, 2015

Rusty Wilson

Teacher's Studio

Other people have written longer replies - and they are true. Read the if you want.

Take lessons from Tom - you won't regret it. He's awesome.

Posted Sep 9, 2015

Sean C.

Teacher's Studio

Tom is a great drum teacher and nice guy. He is a professional drummer and is very patient and knowledgeable about drumming. I would recommend Tom for anyone who wants to learn how to play drums.

Posted Aug 25, 2015

Erick S.

Teacher's Studio

Lesson Was great although my experience with takelessons.com leaves alot to be desired.

Tom a ton of passion for music and drums and has much to offer a student and any stage or age.

Posted Jul 15, 2015

Brad R.

Teacher's Studio

We decided to get our son involved in something that doesn't require a gaming controller and he chose drums. We picked Tom out of the gate and I told my son that if he didn't mesh with him that we could find another instructor. After my son got over his initial shyness and intimidation, he warmed up to Tom and now looks forward to his lesson days. Tom ALWAYS is encouraging and supportive which has helped build my son's confidence and stoke his passion for something other than XBox. He has been flexible with us when needed. I would highly recommend Tom as an instructor.

My son Brandon was very exited right after the very first lesson with Tom
Tom is a great teacher he is really good at what he does he teaches in a way that clicks very fast and at the same time he makes it real fun
Studio is great nice drums and really nice environment
I would recommend Tom to any parent out there!!!!!!!!!!!

Tom is a great drum instructor. He took an active interest in the music I liked during the very first interest, and when I came back for the second lesson he had taken the time to listen to all of the bands that I mentioned. I wasn't really expecting that and it showed me that he really wanted to tailor the lessons towards what I listen to.

He teaches out of his house, with two drum sets and full electronics setup for other things as well. It really helps when both you and him can play something at the same time, compared to other places where there is only one drum set available.

I would highly recommend Tom to anyone interested in learning how to play the drums.

My 7 year old son has been taking lessons with Tom for the past four months and will continue for the foreseeable future. I am particularly pleased with Tom's patience, enthusiasm and adaptability with my son. I am also amazed at my son's progress--he can really play the drums!!!!.

Tom is an accomplished drummer with his own unique style and one of the cool things about him is that he is interested in getting to know my son to encourage and develop his own unique musical taste and style.

Tom frequently requests that my son provide favorite songs, and then teaches those beats and techniques. This is a unique quality which makes learning music instantly rewarding for a young person and ultimately provides a foundation that my son can have fun with, as he learns the more technical and mundane aspects of music that every serious student must work through.

Whether you or your child would like to be the next Buddy Rich, Lars Ulrich, Neil Pert or Questlove Jenkins, Tom will work with you or your child to develop both a familiar and meaningful learning program that builds knowledge, confidence and enthusiasm for the drums.

I have the highest regard for Tom and highly recommend him as a drum teacher.

tom is as good as a drummer as he is a teacher. i have only had a few lessons with tom and can now play to songs that i thought i would never be able to play to. Tom has both inspired me, and put in the right direction, for this i recommend tom to any body.

I have personally known Tom for 20 years and been to numerous Black Widow Shows. Around the age of 3 my son would beat on Popcorn and Cookie Tins with utensil so my parents bought him a small $50 drum kit from Toys R Us. When Tristan was 5 he requested his own CD player so he could play my Black Widow USA CD's. By the age of 6 he continually asked for drums. Tom helped me with the process of finding a used kit, went along to look at it and determine if it was suitable, came to my house and set it up, did Tristan first few lessons at my home so he could get used to the layout and feel of the kit. After determining Tristan would learn better in a setting with 2 drum kits Tom went and purchased another set for teaching. After one session Tristan picked up on something he had tried to learn for about a month. He works great with a beginner and will mold the lessons to their ability and learning capacity. Tristan wants to be just like Uncle Tom and even spent his own birthday money on Vic Firth Drum Stick, a stick bag, and Chimes for his kit.

Tom is a professional drummer that has been around for quite a while, and has tons of experience. He loves drumming, and I love to watch and listen to him going at it. He also loves to share and teach his talent and skills to others. His teaching style is very relaxed, and customized to the student's wishes. He stresses on the importance of practicing rudiments, stick handling, and playing with a metronome, but also on having fun and playing along with your favorite songs. Tom's fee is very reasonable and affordable for private lessons. He'll come to your place and helps you set up your kit and/or teach. I prefer to go to his studio where he has two drum sets. With Tom on one set and me at the other makes it a lot more fun and better learning experience,

My child was pretty new to drums and has advanced so far under the direction of Tom. He also has been a great support to bring him up to speed along with introducing him to new music and broaden his musical talents. I highly recommend Tom if you are looking for a teacher that's patient, offers fantastic lessons and is passionate about the instrument!